“What is—” She looked at her palm, and a fermented egg was in her hand, dripping yellow liquid down her fingers. “Ewwwww!” she yelled.
She smashed the egg against his chest, vigorously rubbing the yolk into his white shirt. He laughed and tried to get away as she rubbed the egg on him, quickly turning his back to her to shield himself.
She saw a jar on the ground and grabbed another egg, smushing it onto the back of his shirt. She accidentally kicked the jar over with her foot, spilling the liquid and the rest of the hard-boiled eggs across the floor.
“How dare you place that disgusting thing into my hand!” she yelled, laughter slipping free, as she rubbed it harder into him.
The egg chunks on his back fell off his shirt in large clumps. She reached for another one on the floor, but when he turned tostop her, he slipped in the liquid and crashed to the floor, bringing her down with him.
Seda fell onto him, their chests pressed together, with their noses just inches apart.
He held her waist securely and gently squeezed. Seda’s breath hitched, and suddenly the storage room felt much smaller. They looked into each other’s eyes as silence took over.
Seda’s heart began to thunder in her chest.
“I thought you liked those,” he whispered breathlessly.
Heat flickered low in her belly, and she watched Cahir’s eyes darken.
“You know I don’t. Now we’re stinky,” she whispered back.
“Not at all,” he said, his gaze sliding down to her lips. Her heart fluttered again. “You’re so special to me, Seda.”
Doubt slithered into her thoughts, and she pulled herself away, settling beside him on the floor. “If you want to spend time with Neoma, I’d understand. As your friend, I’d support you if that’s what you wanted. I think she’s…okay, I guess.”
He shifted to sit alongside her and paused, glancing at her with wide eyes. “I wantnothingfrom that woman, Seda. I never have and I never will.”
“But I saw you with her when I arrived, and the way she was flirting with you today?—”
“She throws herself at me, and I reject her. She isn’t for me. She isn’t the one I want,” he interrupted as he sat beside her. He pressed his leg against hers and reached down to gently touch her hand, tracing his index finger over it and repeatedly drawing a heart.
She glanced at her hand before shifting her gaze back to his. “Then who…” Her words fell quiet.
A long silence followed, and he pulled on his neck with his hand before answering, “You, Seda.”
Seda felt her mind go blank as she stared into his eyes. Hecontinued tracing his finger over her hand, and it tickled slightly, but she didn’t move it; she couldn’t.
“I’ve wanted to tell you for so long. The last thing I want is to lose your friendship even more than I already have, but I need to express this. I promised you honesty. You’ve been my closest friend, the person I look forward to waking up next to in that tiny bed alone in our apartment because you’re there on the other side of the room, the one who makes me laugh and makes every moment feel special, even when you get upset and threaten me.” He smiled at her, and her heart fluttered like a butterfly trapped in a glass, desperately trying to break free.
“I… Iloveyou, Seda, more than anything in the world. My love knows no bounds. I’ll help you find all the stones. I’ll help you burn this Monster King and others to the ground. I’ll seek revenge on those who hurt you and innocent others. You’re my best friend, my entire heart, and you ignite my soul with a fury that rivals the sun. I’d do all of these things even if my feelings were never echoed. You have me, Seda. From now until the end of time.”
Her hand flew to her lips, and her eyes widened. She had no words, no way to respond.
“I…” she started, feeling a tear slip free. She thought she loved him, too—more than a friend. He had been her haven for years, the silent calm amid chaos, the steady ground holding her broken pieces together. But… he lied to her. What if he was lying now, too?
He reached out and gently cupped her cheek, wiping away the stray tear with his thumb. He slowly leaned in and tentatively brushed his full lips against hers, seeking silent permission, allowing her the chance to say no.
His lips were warm, and she noticed him trembling against her. Was he as nervous as she?
She felt the soft glow of her magic awaken within her chest. She opened her mouth for him, and the rush of emotion caused her to close her eyes as she lost herself in the moment.
His kiss felt like magic—like she was flying through the clouds, watching from far above. His kiss felt gentle and caring, and a determined flame began to grow within her, refueling the emotions she had allowed to fade.
She returned his kiss, leaning into him more tightly, and softly moaning into his mouth.
He slowly pulled away from her, and she opened her eyes, gazing into his. His face was inches from hers, and she could see the purple glow from her eyes light up his own.
She pulled back, afraid she had hurt him with her magic, remembering how Kalon’s kiss ended with a spark to his lips, “I’m sorry.”
